RARE ONE OF 500**Original, Limited Production, De Luxe Special, Wilkinson Sword, Tom Beasley ‘The Famous Sword Smith Of Stalingrad Sword Fame’ 3 panel Banner Fairbairn Sykes FS Fighting Knife With Correct Etched Blued Panels Hand Drawn Blade & Scabbar Knive

**RARE ONE OF 500**Original, Limited Production, De Luxe Special, Wilkinson Sword, Tom Beasley ‘The Famous Sword Smith Of Stalingrad Sword Fame’ 3 panel Banner Fairbairn Sykes FS Fighting Knife With Correct Etched Blued Panels Hand Drawn Blade & Scabbard. - 22690

Tom Beasley was Wilkinson Sword's master Swordsmith. One of his outstanding creations was the blade for the sword which Britain presented to the people of the City of Stalingrad in commemoration of the City's defence against the Nazis. Tom Beasley knives are sought after and early post war 1946-1949 Tom Beasley produced only approximately 500 hand drawn examples of FS knives for Wilkinson Sword who offered them as 'De Luxe Special' items. They are thought to be advertising & private purchase pieces for Wilkinson sword who undertook a sales drive in the early post war years (see pages 96 & 97, plates 477 & 478 of Fighting Knives By Fred Stephens and pages 182 & 183 of The Fairbairn Sykes Fighting Knife & Other Commando Knives by Flook). 2 panel scrolling banner without reference to Stalingrad and the more sought after 3 panel scrolling banner variants with Stalingrad fame were available. This is an excellent original hand drawn de luxe special Tom Beasley FS Knife With 3 panel scrolling etched & blued banner & correct scabbard. Its 178mm long steel blade with medial ridge is clean and correctly crisply etched & blued on both sides. One side has the correct 3 panel blued and etched scrolling banner ‘Hand Forged by Tom Beasley The Famous Sword Smith Of Stalingrad Sword Fame'. The reverse is etched with decorative panels containing 'Wilkinson Sword, London' name and crossed swords legend together Royal Appointment. Also 'Commando Fighting Knife World War 1939-45'. The orange / brown hue Ivorine handle is undamaged and it has an oval plated steel cross guard. The dagger has its original leather scabbard with brass throat mount and chape in the same excellent condition. The price for this excellent De Luxe Special piece which is one of only approx 500 produced includes UK delivery. Sn 22690

£1,375.00